Safety device for operating flush-tank valves



W. U. GRIFFITHS. SAFETY DEVICE FOR OPERATING FLUSH TANK VALVESr APPLICATION FILED-0017.21, 1918.

1,343,261 I Patented June 15, 1920.

[riverzz '01" UNITED STATES wILLIeM U. enrrrrrr s, or ,PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

sarn'rz 'pnvrcnroa OPERATING FLUSH-TANK VALVES.

seamen et lZ n Patented June 15,1920.

Application filed October 21, 1918. Serial No. 259,095.

. In institutions ofvarious kinds housing agreater or lessnumber ofpeople, particularly jails and other penal institutions, great trouble has beenencountered in keep ing the toilet apparatus in proper repair, particularly the'fiush apparatus.

The object of my invention i to provide a device adapted for operating the flush valve of awater closet flush tank, or a tank for similar purpose which is so situated as to be protected fromthe inmates of the jail or other institutions. j

A further object of my invention is to provide a device for operating the flush or other valve of a flush tank which is situated 7 outside of a room or inclosure' inwhich the water closet bowl is situated, which device is provided with means extending into the c said inclosure whereby the said device may be operated. I

Although my invention is designed particularly for use in jails, penal institutions and other places where relatively large bodies may be congregated, it will be understood that the same also is well adapted for use in private houses and other establishments of a more or less public character but at which large gatherings are not in the habit of being congregated.

j In order that my invention maybe more I readily and clearly understood and its practical advantages fully and clearly comprehended and appreciated,reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which I have illustrated one form of a convenient embodiment of apparatus constructed in accordance with invention. It will'be understood, however, that my invention is adaptedfto be embodied in widely varying constructions which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. z flInj the drawing z' .1; Fi ure 1 'is a'topplan view of a device embodying my inv-iention,' a link of'a chain extending ther efromto a valve-or similar device to'be operated, being shown in section, and ajpprtion' one wall upon which the device is supported, being also shown in horizontal section, and

v Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section of the device shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the wall supporting the said device'being shown in vertical section. Referring to the drawing: 1 designates wall to which the device embodying .my invention is secured and upon which it, is

supported. Although the wall :1 is shown 2 designates a screw threaded tubular lug like member provided with a relatively wide flange 3 upon its inner end which is adapted to rest against the inner surface of thewall 1 about an opening Jr-through the said wall and through which the screw threaded tubular member extends. In order to securely fasten the screw threaded tubular member. 2 to the wall 1, I have provided a clamp.- ing nut 5 which has screw threaded engagementwith the said member 2 and isv adapted to be screwed and clamped firmly against the outer or rear side of the wall 1- so as to clamp the latter firmly between the flange 3 and-the said clamping nut 55.. Y

At its rear end the tubular supporting secured against accidental turning upon'the said lug or projection'bymeans of 'a binding screw 7. The said sleeve 6 is provided with an upwardly extending arm 10 which is forked or bifurcated at its upper end to form the oppositely disposedportions-ll. 12 designates a lever whichis pivoted intermediate the portions 11 upon a pivot bolt 14.

The forward end of the said lever 12'has connection with the lower end of-a chain 17 or otherconnection, the upperend of which has connection with a valve or other member to 'be operated. The rear end portion of the'leve'r 12 to the left of the pivot 1 45- is provided [with an adjustable weight 20 which is adapted'to beisecuredlin adjusted v position upontherear end portion of the said lever by means of a bindingscrew 21. f

The 'said weight is providedatits forward end or side with a depending'arm 22'which is adapted to contact with the rear end of tact bearing for the lower end of the contact army 22.

The forward end'of the operating bolt or bar projects beyond the front end of the tubular member 2 into theinclosure or room so that it may be pushed rearwardly by anyone from the inside of such" inclosure or room. The rearward movement caused by such pushing causes rearward swinging 'movement of the arm 22 with a consequent w upward swinging movement of the rear portion of the lever 12. The front end portion of the said leveris thereby depressed so 'as to cause a downward movement of the chain orother connection 17 for operating a valve or similar device to which the said chain or other connection may be connected. The positions of the bolt or bar 25, the lever 12 and the weight 20 and arm 22 carried thereby, are clearly indicated in the dash and dot lines in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In the construction'as shown, the arm 22 is formed integrally with the weight 20. It is clear, however, that such integral arrange ment is unnecessary and that the arm may be a separate member from the weight, the

either push or said arm and weight being separately and independently secured to the rear end por tion of the lever 12.

It is clear from the drawing and from the foregoing description of the constitution that by reasonof' the projecting front or forward end portion of the bolt or bar 25, that the latter device may be operated from the inside of a room or inclosure and that theparty operating the same is excluded or prevented from having access to any portion of the means for flushing a water closet bowl or othensimilar member which could be putout of order by such person. Theonly thing that a person situated within such'a room or inclosure can do is to pull upon the operating bolt or bar 25. I

I claim: 15 In combination, a wall, a bracket supported in rear of said wall, said bracket having an opening extending through a portion thereof, an opening-through said-wall,

a slidable bar situated insaid' opening and proj ecting beyond the front of the said wall,

a leverpivoted upon'said bracket 'andrneans having connectionwith said'lever and contacting with therear end 'of said bar whereby sliding movements of the latter cause pivotalmovementsof said'lever. 2. In combination, a wall having an opening therethrough, a tubular member extending through said opening, said member having a lateral flange resting against the portion of wall surrounding .the said opening,

H means for engaging the said tubular mem-' nection with a device to be, operated, an-

arm secured to the opposite: portion of said lever, said'arm extending away;from said lever, and means slidably supported in said tubular member, thefront end of which projects beyond the front face of said wall and the rearend of which extends beyond the said tubular member and contacts with the end of'said last mentioned. arm, where? by movement" of said means actuates-the said arm and the saidlever.

3. Ina device for operating a valvefof a flush tank, said device being situated outside an inclosure while the'partto be flushed is situated inside. said inclosure, the combination of a pivoted lever, meansfor operatively connecting the said-lever with a valve of a flushing apparatus, means for I supporting said lever and a slidably supported bar extending through an opening in a wall of said inclosure, one end of said bar projecting into the interior. of said inclosure and the other outer endcontactingwith said lever ,toioperate the same. 4. In a devicefor operating: a valve of i a flush tank, said device beingv situated outside an inclosure while the part to be flushed issituated inside said inclosure, vthe combination of a bracket situated exteriorly of a wall of the said inclosure, said bracket having an-opening communicating with the interior of said inclosure, a slidable member situated in the said opening, the

front end of -which projects intothe said inclosure and the rear end of which pro jects beyond thev Said braCket, a lever pivoted intermediate its endsrupon the said bracket, means connecting the forward end of said lever with the-valve .to be operated, a weight upon the, opposite end of saidlever and a depending arm extending from said lever and contacting with the rear-end ofthe said slidable member.

J 5. In a device for. actuatinga valve of a flush tank, the said [device being situated foutside. ofone of the wallsofan inclosure while the part to be flushed is situated inside the said inclosure, said; device comp'ris- 'terior of said inclosureto theexterior there in a tubular member extending from the inof,'.means-;for securing. the. said tubular member topthe wall through which it ,pro-

jects, an upwardlyeXtending-arm secured to the rear' end of said tubular member, a

lever pivoted intermediate its ends to the upper end of said arm, said lever extending in a direction transversely of the said wall, means connecting the front end of said le ver with the valve to be operated, a weight secured upon the opposite end of said lever, said weight holding the rear end of said lever in its lowermost position, an arm integral with said weight and depending therefrom and a slidable member situated in 1 0 In testimony that I claim the foregoing 15 as m invention I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of September, A. 1)., 1918.

WILLIAM U. GRIFFITHS. 

